I agree with William Fessenden (letter, “Electricity choice is good for Maine,” June 20) that consumers should research and understand their rights and responsibilities. But, should they have to do it with legal counsel by their side?

Companies make it easy to switch to them. However, when a consumer wishes to switch back many are faced with a large penalty. After satisfying the commitment period, some customers have been told they still face the penalty if they switch because their contract was automatically renewed to a new term.

Fessenden asks: Is electricity choice partly responsible for lower electric rates? Electricity Maine offers a fixed 18-month rate at 9.9 cents/KW. That is 54 percent higher than the standard offer price of 6.5 cents. It also offers a five-month fixed rate of 6.49 cents/KW. After the fixed rate, consumers have seen the rate jump to more than 10 cents/kw. Other companies have jumped their rates to more than 250 percent higher than the standard offer. I have yet to meet one residential consumer that has saved by switching to a competitive electric provider.

Fessenden asks: Is electricity choice good for Maine? No doubt, it is good for his Maine company. Paying 54 percent to 250 percent more than the standard offer rate proves it a failure for the average Maine consumer. No, it is not good for Maine.

For customers using a competitive electric provider, I suggest Maine government require utility bills to also show the amount calculated using the standard offer for comparison. The consumer would quickly see if he is getting a good deal.

Mainers should check their utility bills often. If they pay more than 6.5 cents per KW for electric supply, they are overpaying and should rethink their supplier.

Gerard Chasse

Hartland

(This is a corrected version)